Pearls of wisdom - 112

One cannot avoid the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not by the strength of severe austerities, an exalted Vedic education, or the power of mystic yoga, physical prowess or intellectual activities. Nor can one use his power of religion, his material opulence or any other means, either by himself or with the help of others, to defy the orders of the Supreme Lord. That is not possible for any living being, from Brahmâ down to the ant.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 1 Verse 12

Pearls of wisdom - 111

Lord Brahmâ, the supreme person within this universe, said: My dear Priyavrata, kindly hear attentively what I shall say to you. Do not be jealous of the Supreme Lord, who is beyond our experimental measurements. All of us, including Lord S'iva, your father and the great sage Mahârishi Nârada, must carry out the order of the Supreme. We cannot deviate from His order.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 1 Verse 11

Pearls of Wisdom - 110

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: My dear King, Prince Priyavrata was a great devotee because he sought the lotus feet of Nârada, his spiritual master, and thus achieved the highest perfection in transcendental knowledge. With advanced knowledge, he always engaged in discussing spiritual subjects and did not divert his attention to anything else. The Prince's father then asked him to take charge of ruling the world. He tried to convince Priyavrata that this was his duty as indicated in the revealed scriptures. Prince Priyavrata, however, was continuously practicing bhakti-yoga by constantly remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus engaging all his senses in the service of the Lord. Therefore, although the order of his father could not be rejected, the Prince did not welcome it. Thus he very conscientiously raised the question of whether he might be diverted from devotional service by accepting the responsibility of ruling over the world.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 1 Verse 6

Pearls of Wisdom - 109

Sukadeva Goswami to Parikhsit Maharaja,

The glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is praised in eloquent, transcendental verses by such exalted personalities as Brahmâ, are very pleasing to great devotees and liberated persons. One who is attached to the nectarean honey of the Lord's lotus feet, and whose mind is always absorbed in His glories, may sometimes be checked by some impediment, but he still never gives up the exalted position he has acquired.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 1 Verse 5

Pearls of Wisdom - 108

King Indra, in order to steal the horse from King Prithu's sacrifice, adopted several orders of sannyâsa. Some sannyâsîs go naked, and sometimes they wear red garments and pass under the name of kâpâlika. These are simply symbolic representations of their sinful activities. These so-called sannyâsîs are very much appreciated by sinful men because they are all godless atheists and very expert in putting forward arguments and reasons to support their case. We must know, however, that they are only passing as adherents of religion and are not so in fact. Unfortunately, bewildered persons accept them as religious, and being attracted to them, they spoil their life.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4 Chapter 19 Verses 24-25

Pearls of Wisdom - 107

One who follows the principles and instructions enjoined by the great sages of the past can utilize these instructions for practical purposes. Such a person can very easily enjoy life and pleasures.

A foolish person who manufactures his own ways and means through mental speculation and does not recognize the authority of the sages who lay down unimpeachable directions is simply unsuccessful again and again in his attempts.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4 Chapter 18 Verses 4 & 5

Pearls of Wisdom - 106

Bhumidevi to King Prithu:

My dear Lord, by Your own potencies You are the original cause of the material elements, as well as the performing instruments. (the senses), the workers of the senses. (the controlling devatas), the intelligence and the ego, as well as everything else. By Your energy You manifest this entire cosmic creation, maintain it and dissolve it. Through Your energy alone everything is sometimes manifest and sometimes not manifest. You are therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4 Chapter 17 Verse 33

Pearls of Wisdom - 105

How could an intelligent man competent enough to possess such exalted qualities allow his followers to praise him if he did not actually have them? Praising a man by saying that if he were educated he might have become a great scholar or great personality is nothing but a process of cheating. A foolish person who agrees to accept such praise does not know that such words simply insult him.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4 Chapter 15 Verse 24